Improvement in back sights for rifles



' ALLEN. Sight for FvirerArm-s.

Pte'ntd oct. 28, '1862,

'SJW em o v mtnesses l gar g MPETERS. PHOTO-UTHOGRA-FNR, WASHINGTONy VIJ C- NITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

IMPROVEMENT lN BACK SIGHTS FOR RIFLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 36,760, dated October 2S, 1862.

T0 cir/ZZ whom it may con/cern:

Be it known that I, ETHAN ALLEN, of W'orcester, in the county of Worcester, in the State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and Improved Mode of Constructing Rear Sights for Rifles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters ol' reference marked thereon, in which- Figure l is an elevation of the revolving sight. Fig. 2 is an edge view of the same with a portion ofthe exterior removed to show the stop or bolt, and Fig. 3 is a View of the disk.

The nature of my invention consists in so arranging a series of holes in a revolving disk, between two plates of metal, with a vertical slot cut through each, that as the disk is turned from one notch in the periphery to the next a new hole appears in the slot a little higher or lower than the last, according to the direction the disk is revolved.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my inventionI will proceed to describe its construction and operation. I construct my sight in the .form seen at A A', split ting the circular part A vertically for the reception of disk B, as seen in Fig. 2. Disk B is held in position by pin d, and revolves upon it, having notches b cut in its periphery. There is a vertical slot, f, cut through a a of plate A at C. Disk Bis also perforated with a series of holes in the form of ascroll, as

seen from g to h, Fig. 3, and is also numbered from one to sixteen in a circle near its edge. There is a springbolt or stop, D, with a thumb-piece, E, which is received into notchesl b, and holds disk B in position.

The operation is as follows: The part A ofl the sight is secured to the breech ot' any ordinary riiie, and disk B is turned until l is seen through the opening C in plate A, when one ofthe holes in disk Bis brought opposite slot f at its lower extremity, as seen at/c, Fig. 1, producing the required opening for a sight at the shortest distance. Then, as it is found necessary to elevate the piece, the disk is revolved, bringing each gure in succession to view through the opening C, which raises the sight higher, up to 16J7 when the opening in slot f will be found to be at the highest point.

It will be perceived that the Inarksnian can try his riiie for any distance, changing his sight until it is found to be right, and thenY whatever figure appears in opening C he will understand is-theright elevation for that distance, and the same rule applies to any other distance. i l

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

Plate A and disk B, constructed substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

s v ETHAN ALLEN.

Witnesses:

GEORGE W. FAIRFIELD, HENRY C. WADswoE'rII. 

